'Healthy' dad, 29, found dead hours after going to the pub with friends

03 July 2023 , 18:34

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Tom was found unresponsive by his dad before an ambulance was then called (Image: Leeds Live WS)

A young dad with no underlying health issues died after being found unresponsive by a family member in his home.

Tom Longley was discovered by his dad on Saturday, June 24 after the 29-year old had been out socialising with friends in a pub for one hour.

Despite the efforts of ambulance workers who were called out to the scene, Tom sadly died.

The heartbroken family described him as "vibrant" following the sudden death and he leaves behind a son, Noah, as well as the "love of his life" Bella.

He also had two siblings along with three nieces and two nephews.

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Tom with with his partner Bella and baby son Noah (Leeds Live WS)

Tom's family have since set up a fundraiser to help pay for the funeral expenses.

His sister Billy-Jo told LeedsLive: "The day before [Tom's death], he was in full health.

"He came to see me and went to the pub with his friends for an hour and came back. He didn't tell anyone he felt unwell.

"The ambulance came within five minutes and they did CPR for about an hour.

"They couldn't open his mouth and thought he had been passed away for quite a while. I was devastated."

Billy-Jo lives two doors away from her sister in Armley and Tom and their parents had recently moved to Cottingley, both in Leeds.

Tom was one of three siblings and also had three nieces and two nephews (Leeds Live WS)

She added: "We're all just devastated. We were all very close growing up together and did everything together. We saw him near enough every day."

Billy-Jo wrote on the GoFundMe page: "Tom was a young and vibrant 29-year-old man with NO underlying health conditions. We are not really sure how or why this has happened, he's been ripped away from us and I don't think we're ever going to come to terms with that.

"Our parents are broken, cannot even speak. We're trying to raise some funds to help with funeral expenses and give them one less thing to worry about...Let's give Tom the best send off we can!"

At the time of writing the fundraiser has already raised £800 of its £1,500 goal and Billy-Jo says it shows how well-loved her brother was.

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She said: "We've had a lot from people we don't know. We never even realised he had so many friends.

"It will mean everything to give him the send off he deserves. I never wanted to lose my brother, the last thing I want is for him to look down thinking 'they could have done better.'"

To donate and help raise funds for Tom's funeral, click here.

Sophie Corcoran